Ngāti Kuia are the first people of Te Tauihu (the top of the South Island). We are the descendants of the explorers Māui, Kupe, and Matua Hautere.

Today, as tangata whenua (people of the land), we are dedicated to the land, our people, and the enduring legacy of our tīpuna, as we continue to seek justice and uphold the mana of our iwi. We have reinvigorated Te Hoiere, where our presence is felt through many initiatives that reconnect us with the whenua. Our environmental restoration efforts aim to preserve and restore the natural resources we’ve always cared for, ensuring future generations can benefit from the richness of this land. We are the kaitiaki of this whenua, just as our tīpuna intended, balancing progress with the wisdom of our past.